Washing machine



June 5, 1934. E. 1,961,287

WASHING MACHINE Filed April 1, 1931 I U v OOOOOOGXDOOOOOO Patented June 5, 1934 WASHING MACHINE Ernst Faber, Stuttgart, Germany Application April 1, 1931, Serial No. 527,027 In Germany September 1, 1930 2 Claims. ((11. 6837) This invention relates to washing machines of the type comprising an inner vessel for containing the wash articles, said inner vessel being housed in an outer vessel, the washing fluid 5 being agitated by means of a fan which produces a vacuum or reduced pressure in the inner vessel, said vacuum being repeatedly broken and restored again.

One object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine of the type referred to in the form of a small compact unit of light Weight and having the minimum number of parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide 5 a washing machine structure having the fan removably mounted on the upper end of the machine, in which the insertion of the wash articles into the inner vessel and their removal therefrom can be eifected without removing the inner vessel from the outer vessel, thereby enabling the inner vessel to be charged and emptied without risk of damage to the Wash.

articles and in which the weight of the parts to be lifted is reduced to a minimum, adequate protection of the fan when removed from the machine being at the same time assured.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one constructional example of the invention in vertical section.

a is the vessel for receiving the washing, which rests with a bottom flange b loosely in an outer vessel 0 which is open at the top. On the inner vessel a rests with a. rubber ring d a loose or removable cover e which itself supports the casing f, g for a driving motor h with a fan 1. By means of the fan casing and a rubber ring is, the motor bears against attached annular flanges m of the cover e. In addition thereto the motor is elastically supported by helical springs n with respect to its casing. The

supporting parts is, n are provided for the purpose of cushioning the vibrations which occur when the motor is in operation or damping the motor noises and also, when the springs 12 are suitably insulated, of completely insulating the motor with respect to its casing, for eliminating shocks due to the current, to which the person attending to the machine might otherwise be exposed, on touching the motor casing. 0 o is an insertion of felt, cloth or the like; disposed between the flanges m which seals the communicating space between the cover 6 and the motor casing f, 9 so asto permit the passage of air, but to prevent the passage of water. p are peripheral openings in the fan casing,

through which the air drawn by suction through the felt insertion 0 when the motor is in operation flows out again in the form of compressed air, after which it escapes into theatmosphere through peripheral openings q in the motor casing. On the cover e an air inlet valve is provided, the essential part of which is a rotatable cap 1' with a plurality of openings 5, which are brought, on the cap being turned, into register with corresponding openings in a Wall t.

The apparatus operates as follows:

The washing vessel a is filled, after the superposed part I, g, c has been previously removed,

with soap suds and washing, being heated from below by heating means. Through peripheral openings u in the lower edge of the washing vessel the soap suds rise to the same level in the outer vessel 0 as well. On the motor being put in operation, a strong suction action is established in the washing vessel, owing to which the soap suds in the outer vessel sink under the action of the outer air pressure, until, through the liquid level rising to a corresponding extent in the washing vessel proper, it has reached the openings it. Through these openings a strong current ofair then enters the washing vessel, which passes upwards through the washing. The entering air produces an equalization of the partial vacuum in the cover e. suds are thereby caused to sink again in the inner vessel, accompanied by a corresponding rise in the outer vessel, and this rising and falling of the soap suds in the washing vessel is repeated continuously as long as the motor is in operation. The constant motion of the liquid and air results in a vigorous mechanical action on the washing, a corresponding amount of lather being'formed and the washing being eifectively cleaned. The washing even has a revolving motion imparted to it in the vessel. When the cleansing action has been carried far enough, which may be increased or accelerated by the vessel wall being made with corrugations the motor is stopped. Thesuction may be adjusted by the regulating valve on the cover e.

In place of the electric motor a water motor, an injection water motor or some other operating force may be used. It is, however, of particular advantage to employ'an electric drive and the described elastic suspension of the electric motor and fan, which can with advantage be used for other purposes as well.

Further special advantages of the washing machine are, that the outer shell filled with soap suds forms a protection for the washing The soap vessel proper against heat radiation and the constant penetration of fresh air continuously brings fresh oxygen into contact with the washing, whereby the cleansing effect is enhanced.

What I claim is:

1. A washing machine comprising the combination with an outer vessel having an open top and an inner removable vessel inside and spaced from the wall of the said outer vessel resting on the bottom of the outer vessel and said inner vessel having an open top and unobstructed interior and in open communication with the outer vessel near its lower end so as to permit fluid to flow between said inner and outer vessels, of a removable cover for said inner vessel, a casing and fan therein mounted on said cover for withdrawing air from said inner vessel there being open communication between the vessel and fan casing and driving means for said fan, said cover closing the inner vessel only.

2. A washing machine comprising the combination with an outer vessel having an open top and an inner removable vessel inside and spaced from the wall of the said outer vessel, said inner vessel resting on the bottom of the outer vessel and having an open top and bottom and in open communication with the outer vessel near its lower end so as to permit fluid to flow between said inner and outer vessels, of a removable fluid tight cover for said inner vessel closing the inner vessel only, said cover having an opening therein, a fan casing in open communication with the outer air on said cover over said opening so as to be in open communication with the interior of the inner vessel, a fan and driving means therefor in said fan casing for withdrawing air from said inner vessel.

ERNST FABER. 

